Just wondering if anyone has successfully added a radio module to a TSC3 themselves? I have a TSC3 setup for use with gps and was hoping to make it useable with an S6 as well. I can get the parts from Kargotech but don't want to attempt if it's not possible without some sort of software upgrade as well. Already have access 2017 onboard
the parts of in good working shape should assemble easily.
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The software is a whole other mess....
you'll likely need Trimble rep to get you past that and be functional.?ÿ wild guess.
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good luck and let us know what happens
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I'm kinda curious if anyone has added a radio to the TDC600 as well??ÿ I don't know much about it but it sounds like it works similarly.
@bstrand?ÿ
You have to purchase a separate radio module (tdl2.4) same as if you want to use access with a third party tablet like the Panasonic fz-m1. The module was around $2500 I think. I asked for one but instead I got a tsc7. Maybe for the better since access workflow seems to only be efficient if you use all the hot keys you can, but the Panasonic was a much more dependable unit.?ÿ
@350rocketmike
I see.?ÿ Any idea if a TSC5 comes with the robot radio built in or is that extra too?
@bstrand?ÿ
They are externally attached as a module to the back of the tsc5/7. I still have the same radio on the tsc7 that I had on the tsc5. They just replaced the data collector itself.?ÿ
I didn't realize the tsc3 had internal radios. We never used one with a robot before so none of ours had one. By the time we bought S series they were already switching everyone to tsc7's.?ÿ
@bstrand?ÿ
They are externally attached as a module to the back of the tsc5/7. I still have the same radio on the tsc7 that I had on the tsc5. They just replaced the data collector itself.
Right, but did you have to pay an extra $2500 for the radio on the TSC5 as well?
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@bstrand?ÿ
I'm not the one paying for the equipment, but this is from the distributor my employer buys from...
?ÿFor some reason they don't list a tsc5 or 7 with the radio. But price is likely around $2500 like the external one.?ÿ
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Anyway........if anyone has added a radio module themselves to a TSC3 I would like to know if it's possible. Thanks.
It is possible. Here is the biggest issues you will run into. ?ÿOne the TSC3 is no longer supported. I bought a battery for one about 6 months ago at the dealership he said he had one battery left and they were not stocking anymore. ?ÿI have a few TSC3 already with the radio built in. It is not hard to attach them or take them off. Its screw??s really is all. Very simple. The next issue is where do you find one. I would reach out to your local dealer and Build a Relationship with them. You might get lucky and they have a used one laying around from a dead TSC3 that was attacked by gravity or stabbed with a range pole being sarcastic. And see if they can upgrade your software if it is not already which it could already be for robot. ?ÿThis is easy to check for them. The other alternative is to do a little playing with the numbers. ?ÿAnd buy a new data collector like TSC7 or TSC5 and transfer your current Trimble Access license to the new TSC7 or TSC5. ?ÿSometimes a good salesman knows the tricks to save you a little money. I did this not long ago. Example my tsc3 was about done for. I paid the maintenance agreement to get it under the ability to upgrade from a 2014 version to the latest 2017 version for access on the tsc3. We bought a tsc5 and no license but transferred the access license from the tsc3 to tsc5. We saved a couple grande playing the numbers game. Because of the new cost of access was higher. Now once access was on the tsc5 it was still under warranty and it was updated to the latest software version. I see two options for you. Find out first what you have on your access robot gps etc. then find out if you can even get it to robot before proceeding to finding a robot module for your tsc3.?ÿ
Good luck. ?ÿAre you a solo operator on tight budget. If so PM me what geographic area you are in. I might have a dead tsc3 that I might can wiggle on and get the software key and send you the radio module and access key but you will need to have the dealer get it tied to your sn#. Of your tsc3. Build those relationships. ?ÿYes they are salesman women. But you will be surprised how a good one will figure out a way to help you when in need. A bad one i don??t bother with. I have a good one here. And he has been around for a long time in the industry. He knows when someone starts out every thing is tight. He really helps them all he can. He has to eat to though.?ÿ
Yes, works well. Still running the S6.
@mightymoe me too. I want a tsc5 or tsc7. The S6 is great but I need an updated data collector when it’s feasible for my boss.
I would take a hard look at replacing that collector. Beginning July 1, 2026 you will not be able to transfer Trimble Access from a TSC3 collector. Trimble has gone to a modular radio for the newer collectors (EM120).
@totalsurv yes I use it everyday. It’s old but still works perfect.
That TSC3 is really very similar in size and form to the Leica CS20 which is still being sold, and which I use. My only real beef with the CS20 is that it takes a rather long time to boot up. And that it is quite heavy. Why, oh why, do these things have to weigh 20 lbs, when an iphone with a screen twice as big weighs about 1/20th of that? My $400 laptop boots up in 8 seconds, while my $6k CS20 needs 2 minutes.
I had a TSC7 at one point. The big screen is nice, but maybe not nice enough to compensate for the extra load it makes you carry.
I had a TSC7 at one point. The big screen is nice, but maybe not nice enough to compensate for the extra load it makes you carry.
@norman-oklahoma You will probably like its replacement - the TSC710 - a little smaller, a little lighter and easier to carry, and the batteries last all day. It runs Android, so you get a device optimised for touch and you can plug it in via USB
Dumped the TSC3 and now have the TSC5, I'm not a huge fan as I like my TDC 600, but the crews don't like it cause it doesn't have a keyboard.
You will probably like its replacement - the TSC710
Interesting, and I might like it if I wasn't now fully committed to Leica. One problem that the TSC7 had, and Leica's big CS30 tablet shares, is that they don't much care for getting rain on the screen. The smaller pressure sensitive screens work better in the rain. Here in the PNW, and I suspect in NZ as well, we work in the rain. So that's a big deal.
@norman-oklahoma You're right. Those flash new colour screens are not as good in the rain.
Keep a TSC3,S6,R8 on hand for those days that you really need all-weather performance